Readers Roar Approval For ‘Lion King’
“The ultimate tragedy of Birmingham was not the brutality of the bad people, but the silence of the good people.” - Martin Luther King Jr.
Hi, Jennifer. Regarding “The Lion King”: Myths reflect society’s values, not the values of relatively isolated individuals, in this case Jennifer James. “The Lion King” is mythological - with its take-home message of duty, loyalty and friendship. What can be argued is the notion that it should have reflected some New Age vision of a vegetarian matriarchy.
Most of us pretty much think that’s patently silly. Regards.
- Matt
Dear Matt: Most of those who wrote did think I was silly. A few defended their love for “The Lion King” with relatively un-Disneylike prose. I wrote in the column that it was a “charming” movie because of all those good things you note and I would add many more like the “circle of life,” the wonderful music and graphics.
Movies change, children’s books change and myths change as we become more aware of the additional qualities we want our Prideland to have. Duty, loyalty, friendship, of course, but many more characteristics that the old stories did not always celebrate.
We could just say it’s a children’s fable and a great alternative to the dreck that is out there and that is fine with me. But I am an anthropologist, always interested in what is just below the surface, because I know that sooner or later it will be something we will need to understand.
- Jennifer
Dear Jennifer: I have followed your writings for many years and always enjoy them, even if I need a dictionary to get through. You are always thought-provoking and expand my vision. I didn’t understand your column on affirmative action completely so would you define it for me?
- Maria
Dear Maria: I called up some resources and this is their definition: Affirmative action is a policy that gives value to diversity, particularly in government positions and contracts that serve the community, and in admissions procedures that provide access to opportunity and education. Diversity, in these contexts, is an additional qualification much like being male, a veteran, or lightskinned has been. If two applicants are very close in qualifications and the group (fire, police, teacher, manager, etc.) has historically discriminated against an applicant’s group, then that applicant has the advantage in selection.
It is my hope that in one more generation discrimination will be uncommon and the need for a policy to limit it will be unnecessary. Meanwhile, the burden of overcoming discrimination is far heavier for many minorities to bear than it is for the rest of us. No amount of reverse screaming or exaggerating will camouflage or change the hard data on what happens to you in 1995 if you are an African American.
- Jennifer
Jennifer: This last week my 21-year-old son told me he was raped by a relative. I have talked with the police but due to time they aren’t able to help. My son, at this point, is doing far better than me. Can you suggest a course of action? He would like to confront the pedophile. I’m terrified he will be hurt more by the family’s indifference. Please help.
- Carol
Dear Carol: Your son’s trauma and the tragedy of the 7-year-old killed in Everett remind us again that secrecy is the weapon of the molester. Some families who know they have a “problem” relative “allow” him or her to molest for generations because of denial or the desire to protect themselves.
Your son is right, but he should have a counselor with him and the confrontation should be done with as much care as possible. The goal is for your son to reclaim his self-respect and for the molester to be forced to get help. If he denies and his family denies, then consult a lawyer for a proposed civil action to force him into therapy.
Other victims may come forward or there may be a wall of silence and anger you cannot penetrate. Either way, your son knows that he is now independent of the memory because he stood up for himself and you supported him. I have sent you resources for taking care of both of you during this process.
- Jennifer
The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Jennifer James The Spokesman-Review